Cost of Living: Amarillo, TX vs Murrieta, CA (2026)

Amarillo

Texas
69
VS

Murrieta

California
175

Amarillo is 106% cheaper than Murrieta.

$1,049/mo ↓ 55%
Median Rent
$2,330/mo ↑ 122%
$62,469/yr ↓ 43%
Median Income
$109,780/yr ↑ 76%
$186,800 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$606,900 ↑ 225%
$1,074/mo ↓ 55%
Owner Costs
$2,380/mo ↑ 122%
200,945
Population
111,621

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Amarillo, TX and Murrieta, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 69 and 175 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,281/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $15,372/year.

Median household income is $47,311/year higher in Murrieta. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Amarillo is $186,800 compared to $606,900 in Murrieta.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Amarillo residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Amarillo vs Murrieta — common questions

Is Amarillo or Murrieta cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 175 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Amarillo and Murrieta?
Median rent in Amarillo is $1,049/month and in Murrieta it's $2,330/month — a difference of $1,281/month.
Which city has higher income, Amarillo or Murrieta?
Median household income is $62,469 in Amarillo and $109,780 in Murrieta. Median household income is $47,311/year higher in Murrieta.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Amarillo or Murrieta?
It depends on your priorities. Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with median rent of $1,049/mo, while Murrieta has a cost index of 175 with rent of $2,330/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Amarillo details → View Murrieta details →